Do or Die (Dropkick Murphys album)

Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: January 27, 1998 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Boys on the Docks1997The Gang's All Here1999StudioDo or DieDoordiedkm.jpgDropkick MurphysJanuary 27, 19981997The Outpost (Stoughton)Template:Flatlist40:07HellcatLars Frederiksenx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} Do or Die is the debut studio album by American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys, released on January 27, 1998, through Hellcat Records.<ref name="allmusic"/> It was produced by Lars Frederiksen of the punk band Rancid. It is the only album that featured original lead vocalist Mike McColgan, who went on to become a fireman before forming his own band, the Street Dogs and is their first release with drummer Matt Kelly who joined the band in 1997 replacing their founding drummer Jeff Erna.

Some of the songs on the album were re-recorded and previously appeared on other releases. The original versions of "Barroom Hero" and "Fightstarter Karaoke" first appeared on the band's debut release Dropkick Murphys/Ducky Boys Split 7 inch in 1996. "Baroom Hero" also appeared on the 1997 on the first Give 'Em the Boot compilation following the band signing to Hellcat. The original version of "3rd Man In" appeared on the Tattoos and Scally Caps 7" in 1997. The original versions of "Never Alone" and "Boys on the Docks" previously appeared on their debut Boys on the Docks EP in 1997. With the exception of "Boys on the Docks", the original versions of these songs appeared on the band's The Singles Collection, Volume 1 album that was released in 2000. A music video for the single "Barroom Hero" was also released.

Track listing

Many songs were a collaborative effort.

1. "Cadence to Arms" (Instrumental) (Traditional, reworked from "Scotland the Brave") – 1:49
2. "Do or Die" (Barton, McColgan) – 1:50
3. "Get Up" (Barton, Casey, McColgan) – 2:06
4. "Never Alone" (Barton, Casey) – 2:54
5. "Caught in a Jar" (Barton, McColgan) – 2:19
6. "Memories Remain" (Casey, Kelly) – 2:25
7. "Road of the Righteous" (Barton, McColgan) – 2:56
8. "Far Away Coast" (Barton, Casey, McColgan) – 2:41
9. "Fightstarter Karaoke" (Barton, Casey) – 2:18
10. "Barroom Hero" (Casey) – 2:57
11. "3rd Man In" (Barton, Casey) – 2:18
12. "Tenant Enemy #1" (Barton, Casey, Kelly, McColgan) – 2:13
13. "Finnegan's Wake" (Traditional) – 2:19
14. "Noble" (Barton, Casey, Kelly, McColgan) – 2:34
15. "Boys on the Docks" (Murphys' Pub Version) (Barton, Casey) – 2:33
16. "Skinhead on the MBTA" (Traditional, reworked from M.T.A.) (Barton, Casey) – 3:49

Reception

Template:Music ratings The Washington Post noted that "combining the Clash and the Pogues may not be an especially clever maneuver, but the result is certainly rousing."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Telegram & Gazette wrote that "the band strikes an earnest pose that champions anyone wearing a blue collar, be it one below a scally cap or shaved head."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> AllMusic gave Do or Die a rating of three stars out of five, and said that the album was "an interesting blend of hardcore-style punk with traditional Irish inflections."<ref name="allmusic"/>

In other media

Template:In popular culture A Do or Die poster appears on the wall of John Connor's bedroom in the pilot episode of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. "Barroom Hero" was used in the final credits of the 2011 Academy Award-nominated documentary Restrepo. "Never Alone" was featured in the Extreme sports video game Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX. "Cadence to Arms" was featured in "College", the fifth episode of season one of The Sopranos.

Legacy

On March 17, 2025, Mike McColgan and the Bomb Squad performed Do or Die in its entirety along at a special St. Patrick's Day performance in Long Beach, CA.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personnel

• Mike McColgan – lead vocals
• Ken Casey – bass, vocals
• Rick Barton – guitar, vocals
• Matt Kelly – drums
• Joe Delaney – bagpipes
• Swingin' Utters – featured on the track "Skinhead on the MBTA"
• John Allen of Big Bad Bollocks, vocals and tin whistle on "Faraway Coast"